Executive Certificate Programme in Public Policy Leadership and Strategy

Objectives

• Mechanism Design with Strategic Foresight: Apply structured, systems-level thinking to understand complex policy environments and make informed decisions under uncertainty.
• Navigate Institutions and Governance Structures: Understand how public institutions, regulatory frameworks, and fiscal systems operate, and work effectively within them.
• Design and Evaluate Public Policy: Develop, assess, and refine public programmes using mechanism design, structured frameworks and evidence-based evaluative approaches.
• Engage, Communicate, and Negotiate: Articulate policy ideas clearly, engage diverse stakeholders, and navigate negotiation processes in complex settings.
• Connect Global Perspectives with Local Context: Draw on comparative policy systems, geopolitical dynamics, and global experiences to inform decisions which are contextually intelligent.

Contents

Foundations:

1. Economics for Public Policy
2. Data Science and Decision Making
3. Institutions, Markets, and State
4. Policy Processes and Frameworks

Perspectives:

1. Designing Policy: Mechanisms, Behaviour, and Choice
2. Technology, Data, and Digital Governance
3. Geopolitics and the Global Policy Environment
4. Legal Frameworks for Public Policy and Governance
5. Public Programme Design and Evaluation
6. Fiscal Systems: Public Finance and Budgeting
7. Leadership and Negotiation in Public Systems
8. Regulation, Lobbying, and Public Procurement

Sectors:

1. Climate and Environmental Policy
2. Public Health and Healthcare Systems
3. Food Systems and Agribusiness Policy
4. Energy Systems and Policy
5. Infrastructure and Urbanisation

Note: These contents are indicative and subject to change.

Pedagogy

The programme is designed to emphasise case-based, practice-oriented learning. Participants engage with structured frameworks and apply them to real policy contexts through a combination of classroom discussions, case-based learning, and practitioner insights.

• Rigorous Classroom Engagement: Sessions are designed to build analytical depth through frameworks in global policy literature, through faculty-led discussions.
• Case-Based Learning: The programme draws on IIMA’s case method to examine real policy challenges, enabling participants to analyse decisions, evaluate trade-offs, and consider implementation contexts.
• Breadth of Policy Exposure: The programme covers a wide range of policy domains and sectors, enabling participants to develop a system-level understanding of public systems and their interconnections across sectors in an accelerated manner.
• Interdisciplinary Approach: The curriculum integrates perspectives from economics, design, data science, law, management, and political economy to provide a comprehensive understanding of public systems.
• Networking & Peer Learning: A necessary part of the programme is a strong element of networking, both at IIMA and Delhi, and learning from diverse professional and academic backgrounds.

For Whom

The programme is designed for individuals seeking to build or advance their capacity in public policy and governance. The idea is to inspire public policy as a craft, and not just science. It is ideally suited for:

• Professionals working in government, public institutions, policy think tanks, consulting, and development organisations
• Individuals in the private sector, industry and civil society engaging with public systems and regulatory action
• Those looking to transition into policy-oriented roles from other allied disciplines.
• Motivated, early-career applicants and recent graduates with a demonstrated interest in public policy are also encouraged to apply.